Washington....interesting logistics for OC

[webbch]

I have an AZ CCW (resident permit). A lot of other states actually recognize my permit. Unfortunately, WA (among others) is not on the list.

From what I've read, WA is generally an open carry state. I personally prefer to carry concealed, however OC is my only option in WA without a recognized permit. I carry my XD45 loaded with a round in the chamber. Funny thing - from what I read about the laws in WA, loaded OC is generally acceptable outside your vehicle, but not INSIDE your vehicle (except with CCW).

This makes for interesting logistics for law-abiding citizens who are legally open carrying without a permit:
1) Loaded OC to car
2) Before getting in car, unholster weapon, drop magazine, lock slide back to extract round from chamber, then drop the slide. From my reading of the WA laws, a magazine that is NOT full, and NO round in the chamber constitutes an "unloaded" weapon (I imagine very few, if any, LEO would be aware of this distinction), even if the mag is re-inserted (1 round short of being full) into the magazine well.
3) Get in car, travel to destination
4) Get out of car, unholster weapon, rack slide, re-holster.
5) Continue on with your day

Hopefully I got it all right there. Curiously funny logistics for us out-of-staters. Personally, I think I'd step into the vehicle before executing steps 2 and 4 in the interest of remaining discrete to avoid such actions as being interpreted by others as "intimidating behavior".

I imagine a lot of other travelers have interesting acrobatics to perform when driving across other state lines.

 

[NavyLCDR]

From my reading of the WA laws, a magazine that is NOT full, and NO round in the chamber constitutes an "unloaded" weapon (I imagine very few, if any, LEO would be aware of this distinction), even if the mag is re-inserted (1 round short of being full) into the magazine well.

You are very mistaken. The firearm is considered loaded if any magazine containing any amount of ammunition is inserted into the gun, whether or not a round is chambered.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.010

(10) "Loaded" means:

(a) There is a cartridge in the chamber of the firearm;

(b) Cartridges are in a clip that is locked in place in the firearm;

(c) There is a cartridge in the cylinder of the firearm, if the firearm is a revolver;

(d) There is a cartridge in the tube or magazine that is inserted in the action; or

(e) There is a ball in the barrel and the firearm is capped or primed if the firearm is a muzzle loader.

 

[webbch]

Thanks for the update. Good to know. I guess I'll add removing and inserting the magazine to the above steps.

 

[~OtisM~]

Ooohhh no, they said clip instead of magazine. Let the flame war proceed.

 

[santa]

Flame war? Just dont burn my popcorn.

 

[Wesco]

Partially correct. Yes u can carry loaded. See here. Revised code of Wa 9.41.050

(1)(a) Except in the person's place of abode or fixed place of business, a person shall not carry a pistol concealed on his or her person without a license to carry a concealed pistol.

(b) Every licensee shall have his or her concealed pistol license in his or her immediate possession at all times that he or she is required by this section to have a concealed pistol license and shall display the same upon demand to any police officer or to any other person when and if required by law to do so. Any violation of this subsection (1)(b) shall be a class 1 civil infraction under chapter 7.80 RCW and shall be punished accordingly pursuant to chapter 7.80 RCW and the infraction rules for courts of limited jurisdiction.

(2)(a) A person shall not carry or place a loaded pistol in any vehicle unless the person has a license to carry a concealed pistol and: (i) The pistol is on the licensee's person, (ii) the licensee is within the vehicle at all times that the pistol is there, or (iii) the licensee is away from the vehicle and the pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.

(b) A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor.

(3)(a) A person at least eighteen years of age who is in possession of an unloaded pistol shall not leave the unloaded pistol in a vehicle unless the unloaded pistol is locked within the vehicle and concealed from view from outside the vehicle.

(b) A violation of this subsection is a misdemeanor.

(4) Nothing in this section permits the possession of firearms illegal to possess under state or federal law.

RCW 9.41.050 section 2, sublet A: dealing with carrying a loaded firearm clearly states keyword here UNLESS

 

[webbch]

The Revised code you posted is discussing concealed carry with a permit, unless I misread it.

Since non-residents will generally not have a WA permit (and assuming WA doesn't honor their home state's permit), the only other legal option is to open carry. My post reflects the "quirks" for OC without a permit - one of which is not allowing loaded OC while in a vehicle, while loaded OC outside a vehicle is apparently OK.

 

[Wesco]

If you have a CC permit and your state Is not recognized you can apply for a none-resident permit. I have several family members who are in the same situation, the process was very easy and very gun right friendly.